stunning development. It was tantamount to being asked to sing a duet with Mariah Carey or play one-on-one with LeBron James. Dahm was the brightest star in the Silicon Valley firmament. It was an invitation to Mount Olympus to dine with Apollo, the god of light and beauty.
Fung had been to his house before, but always as part of a large social event. Dahm was famous for his bacchanalian parties disguised as perfectly orchestrated networking events lubricated with copious amounts of expensive liquor and premium weed. The last time he’d been to one of Dahm’s parties was with Torré several months ago. A pang of longing shot through him, but he pushed it aside. He needed to focus.
Being invited to Dahm’s place alone was a singular honor. But it made no sense. Why invite him now? Why on such short notice? For all of his physical beauty and charisma, Dahm was nobody’s fool—a true genius in his own right. His scores of sexual conquests were a careful camouflage, Fung suspected. Portraying himself to be a libertine and hedonistic playboy, Dahm was, in fact, a cunning and controlling intellect whose lifelong love was only himself and the company he had built. Anyone threatening him or his kingdom would be ruthlessly destroyed. Dahm had ruined careers, no doubt. But Fung knew of at least one competitor who simply disappeared; whether he was bought off or knocked off, no one knew for sure.
If Dahm suspected that Fung was leaking IC Cloud intel, he was doomed, one way or another. But then again, how could Dahm know?
With Dahm’s cliffside mansion coming into view, he couldn’t help but wonder if tonight was a seduction or an execution.
* * *
—
Dahm’s personal chef and sommelier did not disappoint. The two of them feasted like kings on grilled Wagyu tenderloin, fresh-cut organic greens, garlic and thyme fondant potatoes, and a fine Napa Valley reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. They dined near the infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, warmed against the slight chill breeze by a limestone fire pit.
The conversation had been light and witty as they discussed their favorite local indie bands, Italian neorealist films, pop-up restaurants, and vacation destinations. With the sumptuous meal consumed and the mood lightened by a second bottle of wine, Dahm’s radiant smile suddenly softened. A single gesture of his finger sent the lovely young server scurrying away. They were alone now.
“So glad we finally did this,” Dahm began. “I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to get together.”
“It’s been a fabulous evening. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Nonsense. It’s me who should be thanking you. You’re one of my most important people doing one of the most important jobs. CloudServe wouldn’t be where it is today without you.”
“I’m just following in Amanda’s wake. She’s the real rock star.”
Dahm huffed. “Yes, well, Amanda. Brilliant, no doubt. But I imagine she’d be difficult to work under.” He took another sip of wine.
“She has taught me a lot, but yes, Amanda is . . . uniquely herself.”
“You’re far too smart and, I suspect, ambitious to remain a number two. What are your long-term plans?”
“I love my job at CloudServe. The opportunity to keep rising in the ranks is my immediate goal.”
“And after that?”
“You know what they say about rock stars? You either want to be them or to fuck them.”
Fung instantly regretted the comment. The wine had loosened his tongue. But it was true. Dahm really was the ultimate rock star. He wanted to be just like him.
And he really wanted to—
“Careful what you ask for.” Dahm smiled. “It’s lonely at the top, and there’s only one way to go from there.” He refilled Fung’s wineglass and his own.
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Because, to be honest, you worry me.”
Fung panicked. “How is that?”
“You’re too smart to stay inside of any organization, even one as dynamic as mine.” Dahm leaned closer. “The reason I invited you here is because I see you as a threat.”
“Me? Why?”
“Because I see myself in you. The same hungry look, the same fire in the belly. You’re willing to risk everything just to test the boundaries other, lesser minds want to impose upon you. You know your own greatness and the chains of mediocrity that others would bind you with.”
Fung took a sip of wine, evaluating Dahm’s face over the rim of his glass. The compliments Dahm threw at him were an endorphin rush he’d hardly felt before. Better than a first kiss. Better than